How to Make/Break/Keep a Habit

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”[Aristotle - summation by author Will Durant]Habits - good or bad - are the qualities many people find the most difficult to change, and once changed, commit to maintaining. But - as Aristotle implied (in a much longer sentence) - the repetition and routine of habit can be very powerful when bad habits are replaced by good ones. Building and maintaining better habits can helps you focus your time and energy toward positive outcomes in your health, productivity, career, and more.

Force of Habit

Good or bad, habits are a powerful force in our lives. This section features an introduction to the power of habit from author Charles Duhigg (he literally wrote the book on it), explores the benefits of habit-building over goal-setting, and gives insight into what drives our habits with resources from habit and happiness expert, Gretchen Rubin.

Make it a Habit

Making something a habit can often be more difficult than breaking a habit. Identify key elements of habit formation with Charles Duhigg's introduction to how habits work and Behavioral Science expert James Clear's guide to building new habits. Follow up with resources focused on how to build a foundation for new habits to ensure they stick.

Kick the Habit

Everyone has at least one habit they wish they could kick (can you say "Netflix & Binge"), but few people take advantage of bad habits to build toward better habits. Learn how to identify, break, and re-engage bad habit triggers for good and discover strategies to help you in make, and face, a change in your habits.

Creature of Habit

Just like the bad ones, good habits stick when they become routine. These resources introduce strategies to help you cultivate and keep new habits with a focus on the power of tracking, scheduling, and reevaluating your habits on a regular basis.

Chris Baker is a storyteller turned public librarian turned instructional designer. A collector by nature - Chris is interested in, and has written & presented on, the impact of digital literacy and new media across learning & engagement. A proponent & practitioner of informal learning at work and at home - he enjoys experimenting with music - what his wife calls #spaceloops, and collaborating on small, creative projects with friends.